question about rebuilding a brick chimney

Posted by mrsgator88 on November 1, 2007, 12:16 am

My dad hired a tuckpointer to rebuild a brick chimney, maybe a little larger
than typical residential as it services a small multi-unit building built in
the 1920's. The width on all sides is 4 bricks of standard size. The
original chimney was about 25 courses of brick and about every 5th or 6th
course the bricks would be turned sideways to tie the inner and outer layers
of brick together.

I went to look at the job today. About 10 or 12 courses of brick are in
place and none of the bricks are turned sideways.

The top 6 courses of brick were single layer, and his worker had told me
he'd be putting the inner bricks in place later. Sure enough, the
tuckpointer says he lays about 6 courses of outer brick, then lays the inner
brick, and tying it together with wire.

I'd like to know if its acceptable practice to rebuild a brick chimney in
this manner, and if so, is it preferable to rebuild it in the original
manner (with some of the bricks turned sideways.) TIA

Posted by CWatters on November 1, 2007, 7:21 am

> My dad hired a tuckpointer to rebuild a brick chimney, maybe a little

larger

> than typical residential as it services a small multi-unit building built

> the 1920's. The width on all sides is 4 bricks of standard size. The
> original chimney was about 25 courses of brick and about every 5th or 6th
> course the bricks would be turned sideways to tie the inner and outer

layers

> of brick together.
> I went to look at the job today. About 10 or 12 courses of brick are in
> place and none of the bricks are turned sideways.
> The top 6 courses of brick were single layer, and his worker had told me
> he'd be putting the inner bricks in place later. Sure enough, the
> tuckpointer says he lays about 6 courses of outer brick, then lays the

inner

> brick, and tying it together with wire.
> I'd like to know if its acceptable practice to rebuild a brick chimney in
> this manner, and if so, is it preferable to rebuild it in the original
> manner (with some of the bricks turned sideways.) TIA

I'm not a builder but have been involved with the construction of my own
house...

That sounds like standard construction for a cavity wall (here in the UK at
least) the wire is called a "wall tie" and I believe in the UK the codes
(regulations) require it to be stainless steel to prevent it rusting.
Earlier versions of our regs allowed galvanised steel.

There is a possible reason for doing it this way instead of using tie
bricks....tar/oil deposits can form on the inside of the chimney if you are
burning wood. This can soak right through bricks and stain plasterwork. It
won't cross a cavity wall tie though. Make sure he keeps the cavity free of
"snots". He should really knock off any mortar that falls into the cavity
and lands on a wall tie bridging the cavity.

On a new cobstruction we would probably use a pumice block liner on the
inside instead of brick as this is a better insulator. An insulated chimney
runs hotter and draws better with fewer deposits forming. The alternative is
to build in brick, then insert a stainless steel liner and fill the void
around it with some form of special fireproof insulator.

I'm reasonably sure similar thinking will apply in the USA.

Posted by CWatters on November 1, 2007, 7:25 am

> On a new cobstruction we would probably use a pumice block liner on the
> inside instead of brick as this is a better insulator. An insulated

chimney

> runs hotter and draws better with fewer deposits forming. The alternative

> to build in brick, then insert a stainless steel liner and fill the void
> around it with some form of special fireproof insulator.

PS Steel liners can be fitted to existing chimneys. They aren't usually
fitted during construction (at least not over here)..

Posted by mrsgator88 on November 1, 2007, 8:24 am

> > On a new cobstruction we would probably use a pumice block liner on the
>> inside instead of brick as this is a better insulator. An insulated

> chimney

>> runs hotter and draws better with fewer deposits forming. The alternative

> is

>> to build in brick, then insert a stainless steel liner and fill the void
>> around it with some form of special fireproof insulator.

> PS Steel liners can be fitted to existing chimneys. They aren't usually
> fitted during construction (at least not over here)..

I did not mention that there is an existing clay or terra cotta exhaust pipe
already in place, the bricks are laid around it. This is a three story
structure.

Posted by tbasc@bellsouth.net on November 1, 2007, 7:37 am

> My dad hired a tuckpointer to rebuild a brick chimney, maybe a little larger
> than typical residential as it services a small multi-unit building built in
> the 1920's. The width on all sides is 4 bricks of standard size. The
> original chimney was about 25 courses of brick and about every 5th or 6th
> course the bricks would be turned sideways to tie the inner and outer layers
> of brick together.
> I went to look at the job today. About 10 or 12 courses of brick are in
> place and none of the bricks are turned sideways.
> The top 6 courses of brick were single layer, and his worker had told me
> he'd be putting the inner bricks in place later. Sure enough, the
> tuckpointer says he lays about 6 courses of outer brick, then lays the inner
> brick, and tying it together with wire.
> I'd like to know if its acceptable practice to rebuild a brick chimney in
> this manner, and if so, is it preferable to rebuild it in the original
> manner (with some of the bricks turned sideways.) TIA

Horizontal joint reinforcing is o.k.
I would like to know how the inner brick is placed.
Six courses is about 16 inches deep, so it sounds like he is not
placing the brick carefully.
There should have been a specification or careful description of the
work.
T

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